BPS203: ‘Plant Diversity, Physiology & Adaptation’
Since colonising Earth's land surface 450 million years ago, plants have evolved to fill myriad habitats, diversifying into
hundreds of thousands of species while shaping the world around us into complex evolving ecosystems.
In this module, the student is introduced to the processes which have shaped plant diversity over time and physiological
adaptations that allow plants to thrive in different environments. The characteristics of the main living plant groups are
explored via both lectures and practical investigations, with a particular emphasis on the diversity of plant life-cycles and
reproductive strategies. The groups studied range from the bryophyte groups to the main flowering plant families and
include an introduction to characters of significance for plant identification. The module also emphasises the ecological
and co-evolutionary interactions between different plant groups, and with other organisms (such as pollinators). The
module is supported by a scientific study visit to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.
The student is encouraged to develop critical reasoning skills with respect to the strengths and weaknesses of
different plant groups, and to make use of the most recent supporting text-books. The student is also introduced to key
references from primary research literature, as part of their ongoing scientific education, and to develop transferable
skills in observation, data collection and collation of reports.
Overall, the course places the diversity of plants in an evolutionary and encourages the student to relate this to the
ecological settings in which they are found.
This module introduces students to the diversity of extant land plants, while explaining processes shaping
their evolution. Lifecycles, physiological adaptions and ecological significance of major plant groups are
described. The student is taught to identify these, and is encouraged to examine strengths and limitations
of different plant groups through lectures and practical investigations. The course is supported by the latest
textbooks & includes a trip to the National Botanic Gardens.
18h lectures, 7.5h practicals, plus field trip
Assessment: 70% Written exam (2h) and 30% Continuous assessment
Learning
Outcomes:
1.
Describe and understand the extent of land plant diversity, including how it originated
2.
Explain the functional biology of plant taxa, and their ecological significance;
3.
Compare the life-cycles and forms of reproduction found in extant land plants and explain
their strengths and limitations;
4.
Identify the distinguishing characteristics of major groups of bryophytes, ferns, conifers and
flowering plants
5.
Evaluate the evolutionary pressures that have led to physiological adaptations in these lineages.